Newsletter

Local colleges: Armstrong baseball team sweeps Young Harris

The Armstrong Atlantic State University baseball squad overcame a 6-1 deficit and more than a three-hour rain delay to knock off Young Harris College 12-10, completing a Peach Belt Conference series sweep of the Mountain Lions on Saturday at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (16-8, 8-6 PBC) notched their first PBC series sweep of the year in their first matchup with the PBC newcomer Mountain Lions (11-15, 2-13).

The game started at 10:30 a.m. in an effort to beat the impending storm. Young Harris scored six runs in the second for a 6-1 lead. Armstrong notched single runs in the third and fourth innings for a 6-3 deficit.

The game was halted for lightning in the top of the sixth, and soon after rain started to fall. After a delay of 3 hours, 24 minutes, the game continued.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, an RBI single by Chase Butler and a bases-loaded walk to R.J. Dennard made it a 6-5 score. Adam Moore added a solo homer in the top of the seventh to stretch the lead back to 7-5 for Young Harris, but the Pirates plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh — keyed by Clayton Miller’s two-run single — to take the lead at 9-7.

Armstrong added three runs in the eighth on a suicide squeeze bunt by Will Thomas, an error and an RBI single by Dennard to make it 12-7.

SSU 12-4, NC A&T 5-1

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Savannah State right fielder Mendez Elder was a combined 5 for 8 with four RBIs and two runs scored as the Tigers swept a doubleheader from host North Carolina A&T 12-5 and 4-1.

In the nine-inning opener, SSU pounded out 12 hits, with Elder going 3 for 5 with a double, Joseph McCrary going 3 for 5, Antonio Scott going 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and Chris Arnold going 2 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored.

Kyle McGowin (6-0) threw a complete-game nine-hitter, allowing five runs (four earned) and no walks with six strikeouts.

In the seven-inning second game, SSU (15-8, 5-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) got a stellar outing from winning pitcher Jack May (2-2), who went all seven and yielded two hits, one earned run and two walks with two strikeouts.

GSU 3, DAVIDSON 2

STATESBORO — Scooter Williams threw out the tying run at the plate as Georgia Southern defeated Davidson 3-2 to secure the Eagles’ third Southern Conference series win in as many attempts.

Jason Richman (4-1) allowed two runs (one earned) over 8 1/3 innings. Richman helped GSU (15-7, 7-1 SoCon) extend its home winning streak to seven games after allowing five hits and striking out eight. Matt McCall picked up his third save of the season after allowing two hits and recording a strikeout.

Davidson (8-13, 4-7 SoCon) cut the Eagles’ two-run lead down to one after scoring a run in the ninth inning with a two-out double from pinch hitter Ty Middlebrooks. With the tying run on base, Aaron Ruzinsky singled through the left side but an on-target throw by Williams and a good catch and tag by Chase Griffin recorded the final out at home plate.

Davidson’s Danny Mooney (3-2) recorded a quality start but allowed the game-deciding two-run homer to Brent Pugh in the fourth inning.

MEN’S TENNIS

BARRY 5, ARMSTRONG 4

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — No. 4 Barry completed a win over top-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University at the Buccaneer Tennis Center. The teams completed doubles play Friday and rain forced the movement of singles play into Saturday.